Recipes

37 Recipes That Reinvented the Classics

We didn't think the classics could get any better—until they did.
Image may contain Plant Food Dish Meal and Pottery
Eva Kolenko

Recipes like Caesar salads and ramen are classics for good reason: They're close to perfect. But for exacting restaurant chefs and test kitchen editors, they're a foundation for endless inspiration. These 37 creative recipes reinvented the classics to be the absolute best they can be.

  • Tuna casserole seen from overhead with a scoop being removed on a purple tablecloth.
    Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon
    1/37

    Tuna Casserole with Dill and Potato Chips

    Undercooking the pasta is key; it’s what ensures it won’t be mushy after baking. And the potato chips add crunch to every bite in this nouveau tuna casserole recipe.

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  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Bowl Plant Cutlery and Fork
    Elizabeth Cecil
    2/37

    Oberlin's Kohlrabi Caesar Salad

    This is made with house-pickled herring at Oberlin, but smoked trout is equally delicious as an ­anchovy alt. If you can’t get kohlrabi, try this same scenario on romaine.

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  • Image may contain Food Bread Cornbread Meal and Dish
    Alex Lau
    9/37

    Tamale Pie with Mint Yogurt

    The ras-el-hanout in the filling of this not-so-traditional take on a tamale pie is a Moroccan spice blend that contains several warming spices (such as cinnamon and nutmeg) with a little ginger and chile for heat.

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  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Plant Produce and Sprout
    Photo by Alex Lau
    10/37

    Celery Caesar Salad

    We’re into the celery-on-celery concept, but you could make this with celery root alone and it would be great. All you really need for a Caesar salad base is primo crunch.

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  • Image may contain Sponge Confectionery Food and Sweets
    Peden & Munk
    11/37

    Ombré Rainbow Cookies

    The batter for this riff on the New York rainbow cookie is divided into thirds and tinted with increased amounts of bright coloring to get the ombré effect.

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  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Platter and Plant
    Alex Lau
    12/37

    Chicken Milanesa with Maggi Ranch Sauce

    This irresistible matchup of crispy and creamy—thanks to this unconventional riff on ranch dressing—releases more dopamine than a bag of Cheetos.

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Associate Web Editor. When she’s not posted up at a café, reading and praying that sipping her cappuccino won’t mean sacrificing a night’s sleep, Elyssa writes about food culture and restaurant trends for bonappetit.com. The team’s unrelenting sweet tooth and beverage nerd, Elyssa can also be found refreshing the Wait-or-Buy ... Read More